A refugee from Myanmar, who was nearly blind and had gone missing after being released from a jail in Buffalo, New York, was discovered dead on a downtown street, according to city officials. The body of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, was found by police officers in Buffalo on Tuesday evening. Shah Alam had disappeared on February 19 after being dropped off by U.S. Border Patrol agents at a coffee shop several miles away from his residence following his release from a county jail.
Homicide detectives are looking into the circumstances surrounding Shah Alam’s death, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Buffalo Police Department. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan criticized the actions of federal immigration authorities, calling the decision to leave Shah Alam alone on a cold night “inhumane” and preventable.
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Shah Alam was dropped off at a coffee shop as he could not be deported since he had entered the country as a refugee. The agency stated that Shah Alam did not display any signs of distress or need special assistance. Shah Alam had been arrested a year ago after an incident that resulted in minor injuries to two Buffalo police officers. He was released on bail this month after accepting a plea deal.
Shah Alam’s family was unaware of his release, as the Erie County Sheriff’s Office had contacted U.S. Border Patrol prior to his release due to an immigration detainer issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Shah Alam’s son explained that his father’s arrest stemmed from a misunderstanding with police officers when he got lost and was using a curtain rod as a walking aid.
The family, who are Arakan Rohingya refugees, shared their concerns about the lack of communication regarding Shah Alam’s release. The CBP disclosed that Shah Alam arrived in the U.S. as a refugee in December 2024. The tragic incident has brought attention to the ongoing challenges faced by refugees globally, especially in light of aid cuts impacting vulnerable populations in refugee camps.
